Shounen Hollywood: Holly Stage for 49

This series is the sequel to a 2012 light novel about a male idol group.

Characters

“Shounen Hollywood” was an idol group… 15 years ago. This isn’t their story. This is about their successors, a group of five teenage wannabes who’ve be scouted by the original group’s producer.

Frankly, even while watching the episode I couldn’t bother keeping track of each of the five’s actual personalities. It doesn’t help that the producer is intent on having them adopt ridiculously fake stage personas, all equally punchable.

Aside from the insane producer, the one character who sticks out is the hideous gay caricature who trains the kids. Urgh.

Production Values

Well, if it’s good-looking teenage dudes you want, you’ll get them. They all kinda have the same face, though.

And of course all the songs are crappy J-pop.

Overall Impression

There are actually some decent jokes in this. But that’s not enough to save this shapeless, plotless mess which seems bent on making me dislike all its characters. (Not hate, as that would imply some actual impact.)

You can sell me on idol shows if you’ve got the right kind of energy. This doesn’t have what it takes. It looks like an exercise in tediousness I have no wish to see any more of.